Intracellular distribution of DNA methyltransferase during the cell cycle

AbstractThe intracellular distribution of DNA methyltransferase has been analyzed in synchronously proliferating human cells. The localization of DNA methyltransferase was determined immunocytochemically using monoclonal antibodies directed against this enzyme. DNA methyltransferase was found to accumulate predominantly in nuclei with weak cytoplasmic staining. The DNA methyltransferase antigen was absent in early G1 phase, appeared in late G1 prior to the onset of DNA synthesis and persisted throughout S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. Mitotic cells showed a particularly strong staining intensity. These results show that DNA methyltransferase levels fluctuate during the cell cycle. This has possible implications on the stability of the DNA methylation pattern

Prenatal Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Benzo[a]pyrene–DNA Adducts, and Genomic DNA Methylation in Cord Blood

Background: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are carcinogenic environmental pollutants generated during incomplete combustion. After exposure and during metabolism, PAHs can form reactive epoxides that can covalently bind to DNA. These PAH–DNA adducts are established markers of cancer risk. PAH exposure has been associated with epigenetic alterations, including genomic cytosine methylation. Both global hypomethylation and hypermethylation of specific genes have been associated with cancer and other diseases in humans. Experimental evidence suggests that PAH–DNA adduct formation may preferentially target methylated genomic regions. Early embryonic development may be a particularly susceptible period for PAH exposure, resulting in both increased PAH–DNA adducts and altered DNA methylation

Chromosomal structures of pseudomonas testosteroni. I. Isolation and characterization of the chromosomal complexes

After lysis of Pseudomonas testosteroni with lysozyme and non-ionic detergents different DNA-protein complexes can be separated in 5 -25% (w/v) neutral sucrose gradient. The protein to DNA ratio of these complexes varies between 0.5-4.5 to 1, whereby the faster sedimenting forms contain more protein than the slower sedimenting ones. Different initial rates of DNase digestion may indicate various degrees of DNA packing in these complexes. The chromosomal complexes of Pseudomonas testosteroni are relatively stable towards pronase. Treatment with RNase or sodium dodecylsulphate is accompanied by a dramatic increase in viscosity and decrease in relative density. It suggests that DNA in these complexes is maintained in its supercoiled form by RNA molecule (s) in a similar way as in isolated chromosome of E. coli

Chromosomal structure of pseudomonas testosteroni. II. Activity of the endogenous RNA-polymerase

After careful lysis the nucleoid of Pseudomonas testosteroni can be isolated in three different forms with compact and unfolded DNA structures 1. The released nucleoids contain endogenous DNA-dependent RNA-polymerase activity using the chromosomal DNA as a template. RNA syn­ thesis is proportional to duration of RNA-polymerase reaction and amount of DNA-protein-complexes. The sensitivity towards ionic strength and rifampicin indicates that a part of RNA-polymerase activity is tightly bound to the chromosomal DNA

Chromosomal structures of pseudomonas testosteroni. IV. Effect of testosterone on RNA-synthesis

Testosterone degrading enzymes are synthesized de novo by bacterium P. testosteroni to utilize testosterone-like steroids as the only source of carbon. RNA-synthesis of the whole lysate of testosterone-induced bacteria was found to be 15% reduced compared to the control, suggesting a cytoplasmatic factor which modulates chromatin associated RNA-polymerase activity